Inquirer article: The Rise of Manix

By Ruel S. De Vera
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Posted date: December 19, 2009


IT appears to be just another graphic novel, its matte black cover peppered with what seem to be teardrops, each of them containing a falling humanoid figure – save one. The biggest drop carries the book’s title: “12.” There is no author’s name; there isn’t anything else except the darkness. And it gets weirder from that point on.

As the pages flip past, the reader is greeted by exactly 12 tales featuring these tiny figures, ranging from bizarre love to existentialism to metahumanity to cosmic awareness to, well, just plain oddness. All these unfold on colored, glossy pages but without a single word. It’s unlike any Filipino comic book ever made.

Welcome to the brave new world of Filipino comics, courtesy of Manuel Luis “Manix” Abrera, a world where the panels are constantly shifting and the universe is continually swirling. Manix is the unusual brain trust behind “12” – Manix being one who used to be better known as the son of venerable artist Jesus “Jess” Abrera, Inquirer editorial cartoonist and creator of the “A.Lipin” comic strip. Then Manix was known as the creator of the rollicking, street smart comic strip “Kikomachine” and the band Kiko Machine, later the best-selling author of five “Kikomachine Komix” compilations.

Now, just like his new project, the 27-year-old Manix is something else altogether, or as he likes to say emphatically, “Rakenrol!”

To a certain extent, it’s the same old story, though. Inspired by his father, Manix made his own comics as a kid, joined the Philippine Collegian and graduated in 2003 with a Fine Arts degree major in Visual Communications from the University of the Philippines Diliman. It was there that he perfected his take on student life in “Kikomachine,” which would later appear in the Inquirer funny pages. Those strips built quite a following, with the latest volume “Kikomachine Komix Blg. 5: Alab ng Puso, Sa Dibdib Mo’y Buhay” as the latest incarnation. “Super OK yung ‘Kikomachine Komix,’” he says.

But his journey to wordlessness began with a silent comics entry for Fully Booked’s Philippine Graphic/Fiction Awards, which landed in second place. “After that, I thought about trying to continue making silent comics because it requires a different discipline and it has the nifty effect of offering different interpretations and readings,” Manix says in his enthusiastic Filipino. Plus, he felt that “Kikomachine” had become too text-heavy; so he went to the opposite extreme. Along the way, he realized how unique the project could be.

When the time came to find a publisher bold enough to take on such a different publication, Manix found himself with maverick publisher Visual Print Enterprises – Visprint for short – drawn by the publisher’s work with such comic books as Carlo Vergara’s “Ang Kagila-gilalas na Pakikipagsapalaran ni Zsazsa Zaturnnah.” An exploratory e-mail led to a “Super OK” relationship.

The crucial moment was when Manix made a presentation for what would become “12” for VisPrint’s gatekeeper Nida Ramirez, complete with a formal outfit and sample pages. Ramirez laughed at the outfit but was impressed by the samples, so soon VisPrint took the quiet plunge. A point of constant discussion was the price: at one point, “12” was going to cost P800 a copy; VisPrint eventually got it down to P500. “It was a tiring and scary stage but really fun,” says Manix, who literally hugged the first copy of “12” that came off the press.

The reaction to “12” has been nothing short of rhapsodic. Manix says it’s heartening to see that the concept of silent comics works. “Sobrang saya at nakakaiyak din (Overjoyed and also tearful),” he says is how he feels about “12” as a finished product. Now he’s determined to pursue this new, if very, very quiet direction.

Meanwhile, he hasn’t forgotten the other hardcore aspects of his life. The original Kiko Machine band has disbanded, but he now rocks in a new band called Gorgoro which, well, has a puppet for a vocalist. “May video at links sa Gorgoro.com,” says Manix, who currently subsists on a “Rakenrol” diet of Metallica and Weezer but admits to preferring old Pinoy ballads when he’s drawing at odd hours. He remains part of the UP Dragonboat team and the UP Marine Biological Society. Manix has even managed to find time to cautiously work his way towards an MFA at UP. He is now hard at work at the sixth “Kikomachine Komix” compilation due out next year.

Right now, he is savoring the silent success of “12,” a project that took a good two years of his life, on and off from 2006 and 2008, aimed at “creative collaboration with the reader.”

Serendipity played its patent part. Finishing with 12 strips was completely unexpected, so in typical Manix style, he chose that number to be the book’s title.

In the end, it is all about “12.” It is a comic book that boasts no right or wrong way of reading. “Sumisigaw na katahimikan at kawirduhan” (screaming silence and weirdness) is what “12” is all about. It is the soundless map which celebrates and exemplifies just how Manix Abrera has colored way, way outside all the imagined lines. •

“12” is available in leading bookstores. For information, visit www.visprint.net.


[original source here]

BO Quotes

Link

Warning ni BO: "Huwag ipasa. Nakamamatay."

Narito na ang sagot sa lahat ng mga nagkalat na text, forwarded email, blog articles, facebook apps, at kung anu-ano pa! Click na!

Publishing Proposals update

Our Submission Guidelines can be found under the "Writing Resources" on the right side bar of this page. Please click the "Frequently Asked Questions".

As of today, we have already completed our list of releases until 2011. All incoming proposals will be considered for 2012.

Stock Update: "12", "Trese 3: Mass Murders" and "Crash"

Stocks are now available in all branches of:

Pandayan Bookshop
and
Powerbooks

We'll be available in National Bookstore and Fully Booked branches within the next 2 weeks.

*Best to call up your nearest branch and reserve your copy, just to be sure your book order is ready on your visit :)

Stock Update: Tragic Theater and Ligo na U

As of yesterday, 28 October 2009, stocks for both books have already been delivered:

All Pandayan Bookshop outlets

All Powerbooks branches: Trinoma, Glorietta, Shangri-la, SM MOA, Alabang, SM Mega, Greenbelt 4, Festival Mall, Rob Ermita

Fully Booked: Trinoma, Greenhills Promenade, The Block, The Fort, Shangri-la, Gateway Mall, Powerplant, SM MOA, Greenbelt 5

National Bookstore: Abanao Baguio, SM Marikina, Bestseller (SM Annex), Superbranch Cubao, SM North, Antipolo, SM Mega, Rob Ermita, Recto, Olongapo, Glorietta 1, Victory Central Mall, Ali Mall, Petron Bel-Aire, Metropoint, Tutuban, Northridge, Trinoma, Grand Central, Cash and Carry, SM Fairview

Grab your copies now!

October Visprint titles

12 COMICS
Creator: Manix Abrera
ISBN: 971-94569-2-2
Full color comic book
SRP: P500.00



MASS MURDERS TRESE Cases 9-13
Creators: Budjette Tan & Kajo Baldisimo
ISBN: 971-94569-0-6
B&W comic book
SRP: P200.00



CRASH
the Not Quite Unreal sequel
Author: Carlos Malvar
ISBN: 971-94569-1-4
Paperback fiction
SRP: P200.00


Available in Pandayan Bookshop (as of 10.26.2009)
and in your favorite bookstores VERY SOON! ;)

PRE-ORDERS Update

Please be informed that all pre-orders for TRESE 3 and Manix Abrera's 12 have been sent out today. You should receive your copy anytime tomorrow :)

In case your copy does not arrive until Friday 10:00 AM, immediately e-mail us at: book_inquiry[at]visprint.net

Crash will be sent out this Friday.



**UPDATE: All CRASH pre-orders have been sent out today (10.16.2009). Expect your orders to arrive tomorrow :)

KOMIKON 2009

YOU just have to be at this year's KOMIKON!

OFFICIAL RELEASE of:
Manix Abrera's "12"
and
Trese Book #3: "MASS MURDERS"

Don't miss it!


Meet and greet creators:
Carlo Vergara, Manix Abrera, Freely Abrigo, Budjette Tan and Kajo Baldisimo!

October 18, 2009
10 AM - 9 pM
Megatrade Hall 1, SM Megamall

Manila Intl. Book Fair photos

Just minutes before the opening :)

More photos here courtesy of Alan Navarra.


Big thanks to everyone for making our first time in the MIBF a very memorable one.

Re-sched: Ideas Alive

The Ideas Alive event with Budjette Tan and Jomike Tejdio was cancelled because of Typhoon Ondoy. It will be moved to this Saturday, October 10, 3-5 p.m in Powerbooks Megamall.

See you there!

MIBF authors/creators schedule

Wednesday = Siege Malvar
Thursday = Eros Atalia (10:30 - 3:00PM); Bart Coronel (3:00 PM - 8:00 PM)
Friday = Manix Abrera and Freely Abrigo
Saturday = Klaro, David Hontiveros, Carlo Vergara, Budjette Tan and Kajo Baldisimo
Sunday = Alan Navarra (and Freely Abrigo?)

*VISPRINT is at booth nos. 169 and 191 (aisle G)

Come and see the Visprint booth at this year's MIBF!

You are cordially invited to visit our booth, meet and greet your favorite authors/creators, buy your favorite Visprint titles, get a chance to be one of the firsts to grab a hold of our latest books, pre-order our most-awaited upcoming titles, finally buy your For Official Use Only shirts, and avail of lots of suprises and freebies!

The fastest way to get to the Visprint spot is to take Entrance Hall #2, go straight ahead (that's aisle G). Go on. A little bit more. Then stop before you hit the wall :) We'll be on your left (the restrooms' on your right).

See you there!!!

Book Launch Day at the MIBF

It's BOOK LAUNCH DAY on september 17 at the Visprint booth in the MIBF.

Visprint presents:

"TRAGIC THEATER" by G. M. Coronel
and
"LIGO NA U, LAPIT NA ME" by Eros Atalia

Meet and greet Bart and Eros and have your copy signed!

Advanced Order Promo! - Manila International Book Fair

Pre-order any of the upcoming Visprint books:
- CRASH, a Not Quite Unreal sequel, by Carlos Malvar
- TRESE 3: Mass Murders, by Budjette Tan & Kajo Baldisimo
- 12, by Manix Abrera

Enjoy your very own SIGNED copy, delivered to you free of charge*, 1 week before the book's commercial release!

MECHANICS:
1. Promo applies to Metro Manila addresses only*.
2. Advanced order and payments should be made during the MIBF.
3. Promo forms available at the Visprint booth.

Coming this September!

Bob Ong as National Artist - MINI CRITIQUE By Isagani Cruz

Bob Ong as National Artist - MINI CRITIQUE By Isagani Cruz | The Philippine Star Other STAR Sections Education and Home

Last Aug. 18 at De La Salle University, I delivered (in Filipino) the inaugural lecture of the Br. Andrew Gonzalez Lecture Series. I entitled my lecture “Ang Kabobohan ni Bob Ong, o Dapat Bang Hiranging Pambansang Alagad ng Sining si Bob Ong” (“The Idiocy of Bob Ong, or Should Bob Ong be Declared a National Artist”). Of course, kabobohan is a play on the penname Bob Ong, which is in turn a play on the words Bobong Pinoy, the title of the website that started the anonymous author on the road to what has become the bestselling publishing phenomenon of our time.

Shared via AddThis

Online Voting for Komikon Awards 2009 -- Now Open!

KOMIKON AWARDS 2009

You may now start voting at the KOMIKON.ORG website http://www.komikon.org

Here are the instructions on how to vote there:

1. New users must register at http://www.komikon.org/wp-login.php
2. After registering, check your email for your temporary password. Change this temporary password to a new one.
3. Login at the same link above. You will be directed to the Dashboard.
4. To vote, simply click on ‘Visit Site‘ or go back to Komikon Awards.

YOU ONLY HAVE TO REGISTER ONCE TO VOTE!!!

VOTE NOW!!!


See KOMIKON AWARDS Polls for DA Users here http://komikon.deviantart.com/journal/26462618/

VOTING BALLOTS are available in:

Comic Odyssey

• Robinson’s Place, Level 3 Ermita,Manila
• Robinson’s Galleria, Level 3 Expansion Mall,Edsa cor. Ortigas

Comic Quest

• Lower Ground Floor Bldg. A, SM Megamall
• 2nd Floor Main Bldg., SM City North Edsa

Voting Period: August 10 - September 20, 2009

Komikon Awards Poll in deviantART now open!

The online polls (deviantART) for the Komikon Awards are up. You can now start voting for your favorite (and hopefully deserving) nominees.

Since polls in DA are limited to 10 entries per poll, some categories were split in half. Make sure you VOTE FOR ONE NOMINEE PER CATEGORY ONLY. Feel free to read through the compete list of nominees in the previous journals and see some of the entries in the gallery.

POLLS:
BEST COMIC: Best Graphic Novel / Anthology: [link]
BEST COMIC: Best Comic Series: [link]
BEST COMIC: Best Comic Magazine: [link]
BEST COMIC: Best Comic Strip Compilation: [link]
BEST COMIC CREATOR/S: [link]
BEST CARTOONIST: [link] & [link]
BEST COVER: [link] & [link]
GRASSROOT AWARD: [link] & [link]
BEST WEBCOMIC: [link]
KOMIKS CHARACTER OF THE YEAR: [link] & [link]
BEST COMIC SCENE: [link] & [link]
COMICS AID AWARD:[link] & [link]


VOTING
• Voting period will end on September 20, 2009

*Voting Ballots will be available in the following stores:
Comic Odyssey
•Robinson's Place, Level 3 Ermita,Manila
•Robinson's Galleria, Level 3 Expansion Mall,Edsa cor. Ortigas
Comic Quest
•Lower Ground Floor Bldg. A, SM Megamall
•2nd Floor Main Bldg., SM City North Edsa

For non-DA subscribers/users, other online polls will be set-up. Please wait for announcements.

Winners will be announced at the 5th Philippine Annual Komiks Convention (KOMIKON) this October 2009!!!

KOMIKON Awards 2009: We have been nominated!

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

You are nominated in the upcoming KOMIKON AWARDS 2009. Nominations were held last July 01 - 15, 2009. You were nominated for the following category:

For Comics Aid Award:
Visual Print Enterprises has been publishing a large number of great quality local comic books such as Manix Abrera’s Kikomachine, Freely Abrigo’s Kulas, the graphic novel Trese by Budjette Tan and Kajo Baldisimo and Carlo Vergara’s Ang Kagila-gilalas Na Pakikipagsapalaran Ni Zsazsa Zaturnnah. Hopefully more publishers will follow suit.

Our sincerest appreciation to everyone responsible in helping us make it into the list of nominees!

Big cheers to all book readers and comics enthusiasts who continually support and appreciate Visprint (VPE) titles!

Maraming maraming salamat po!



*See voting details here.

VISPRINT CREATORS Nominated!

From the official list of nominees for the Komikon Awards 2009:

[List 01]

BEST COMIC: Best Graphic Novel / Anthology:
Trese by Budjette Tan and Kajo Baldisimo

BEST COMIC: Best Comic Strip Compilation:
Kikomachine by Manix Abrera
Kulas by Freely Abrigo

BEST COMIC CREATOR/S:
Budjette Tan / Kajo Baldisimo (Trese)

BEST COVER:
Die Die Evil Die, Kikomachine Komix book 3 by Manix Abrera
O, Kaligayahang Walang Hanggan Yeh!, Kikomachine Komix book 4 by Manix Abrera
Alab ng Puso sa Dibidib Mo’s Buhay! Kikomachine Komix book 5 by Manix Abrera
Trese: Murder on Balete Drive (Vol.1) by Kajo Baldisimo
Trese: Unreported Murders (Vol. 2) by Kajo Baldisimo

BEST CARTOONIST:
Manix Abrera (Kikomachine, Philippine Daily Inquirer)
Freely Abrigo (Kulas, The Manila Bulletin)

[List 02]

GRASSROOT AWARD:
Trese (issue 1-7) by Budjette Tan and kajo Baldisimo
Kapitan Tog by Freely Abrigo

KOMIKS CHARACTER OF THE YEAR:
Bertong Badtrip of Kikomachine, by Manix Abrera
Alexandra Trese of Trese by Budjette Tan and kajo Baldisimo
The Kambal of Trese by Budjette Tan and kajo Baldisimo
Maliksi of the Tikbalang Tribe of Trese by Budjette Tan and kajo Baldisimo
Kapitan Tog of Kapitan Tog by Freely Abrigo
Kulas of Kulas by Freely Abrigo

BEST COMIC SCENE:
Rules of the Race - The Alberto and Maliksi Car Race (Trese)

*See the complete list HERE.

VOTING

• Voting period will be from August 10 to September 20, 2009

*Voting Ballots will be available in the following stores:

Comic Odyssey

• Robinson's Place, Level 3 Ermita,Manila
• Robinson's Galleria, Level 3 Expansion Mall,Edsa cor. Ortigas

Comic Quest

• Lower Ground Floor Bldg. A, SM Megamall
• 2nd Floor Main Bldg., SM City North Edsa

*ONLINE VOTING POLLS to be announced

Winners will be announced at the 5th Philippine Annual Komiks Convention (KOMIKON) this October 2009!!!

Trese is NBDB Book Club's pick for July

Join the NBDB Book Club as we follow the trail of Alexandra Trese as she roves the streets of Manila to unravel crimes involving paranormal creatures Sherlock Holmes style.

This July’s book pick is Trese, the highly acclaimed series of graphic novels by Budjette Tan and Kajo Baldisimo. Contributing to the renaissance of Pinoy comics, Trese reintroduces us to the rich Philippine folklore with its inky sketches detailing creepy stories of dark creatures looming the streets of Manila. The NBDB Book Club will be joined by author Budjette Tan and Illustrator Kajo Baldisimo who will talk about their work and answer questions from fans.

Trese is published by VisPrint and is available at Comic Quest, Comic Odyssey, Pandayan, National Bookstore, Best Sellers, Fully Booked, Powerbooks and other leading bookstores and comics outlets.

The NBDB Book Club session will be held on July 25, 2 pm, at the Filipinas Heritage Library, Makati Avenue cor. Ayala Avenue, Makati City. Admission is free. Call 926-8238 for details.

KOMIKON AWARDS 2009 nominations now open

http://komikon.deviantart.com/journal/25484263/

The first ever KOMIKON AWARDS was held back in 2006 on the 2nd year of the Philippine Annual Komiks Convention. It is with great delight that we bring it back in a bigger and better venue and in celebrating the event’s 5th year. Once again, let us give recognition to those who continue to pour their heart, soul and income to a said “ailing industry” that still thrives to bring entertainment to future generations.
The categories are as follows:

Best Comic
This is for the ultimate… the chosen one. This is for the best among the rest. This means that the comic has achieved its ultimate potential; it’s all that and then some. This covers the mainstream comics, published and sold in the major local bookstores. This is for those that have reached the pinnacle of comic making; it’s up there, head and shoulders above the rest, looking down on us through a magnifying glass. This is for the comic that embodies all the things that made us love comics in the first place. The Best Comic award is divided in four categories:

- Best Graphic Novel / Anthology*
Graphic Novels are defined as novels whose narrative is related through a combination of text and art, often in comic-strip form. On the other hand, an anthology is a collection of stand alone comic book stories collected in one publication by a group or one author. This award aims to honor the best comic book creator or group of creators for their exemplary work.

- Best Serialized Comic*
A comic series published regularly in a magazine, newspaper or comic book publication.

- Best Comic Magazine
This award is given to the best comic book magazine still seeing print be it a single story or made up of several.

- Best Comic Strip Compilation
Here’s a step from the day-to-day print to more lasting impressions. One strip is never enough.


Best Comic Creator/s*
This award recognizes the talents of a solo artist or team of artists in making the best comic there is.

Best Cover*
A cover dictates how people see your comic. Sales also depend on the cover. And here we salute those covers that made us look and look hard. And the effort to it took to conceptualize, pencil, ink, and in some cases, to color the cover. The award shall go to the artist or group of artists that created such masterpiece.

Best Cartoonist*
The award acknowledges the countless comic strip artists whose works are published in newspapers, tabloids and magazines. Some might say that comic strip artists don’t get the props that they deserve. They give us the simple delight of a smile, a chuckle or an all-out laugh. They’re one of those everyday things we tend to pass by, yet they’re sometimes important as their humor is sometimes the only solace in those dreary days.

Grassroot Award*
This award is for those countless photocopied mini-comics that we now fondly call “indies”. That among those countless black and white comics stood out and proved to be the one with the most Oomph! of them all. This is for the indie that made the biggest dent among the populace be it good or bad, it made enough noise for people to look and take notice. It made enough of a statement that people actually stopped and listened. It brought something new and fresh that has never been done or seen before. Be it the concept, the art, or the story, it was a breath of fresh air among the masses of photocopied, folded in half and stapled twice in the spine comics. This is meant for those who dreamt of making a mark on the comic industry, and have succeeded, quite magnificently at that.

Best Webcomic*
A lot of effort goes into the webcomics we see and enjoy on the net. And they do not get the credit they deserve. But that’s why we are here, to give props to those under-appreciated webcomics, to give to where it is due.

Komiks Character of the Year
This award is for the most memorable, the funniest and most unforgettable komiks character. It could be male, female, a robot, an animal…anything. This is for our respective favorites, villain or hero.

Best Comic Scene
Who would forget that first kiss, that most tragic death, that most exhilarating fight, or even that scene that brought you to tears or made you curl up in laughter?

Comics Aid Award
Komiks would have not been possible if creators did not have any help. This is for those who have helped take comics from concept to fruition, from the little things to the humongous tasks. For all those who helped from photocopiers to publishers, family and friends, for artists, fans and fellow believers who continue to spread awareness about the industry, this is for those who have helped make what we see before our eyes.

NOMINATIONS
* Different titles created by a single artist/group can be nominated in one category.

• Nominated works, whether published, independent, or web comic, should have been released from 2006 until May 2009.

• Artists and works that have been nominated during the first KOMIKON Awards can still be nominated considering that their work/s is/are still being published during the nomination period.

• Nomination period will begin on July 1, 2009 and end on July 15, 2009.

• E-mail your nominations to komikon.awards@gmail.com with the subject: KOMIKON AWARDS NOMINATION. Only e-mail nominations will be accepted.


VOTING

• Voting period will be from August 10 – September 20, 2009. The voting procedures will be announced.

For inquiries about the awards, please feel free to comment or direct your questions to komikon.awards@gmail.com

We have a new partner outlet!

Pinoy Pocketbooks, the leading Tagalog Romance Pocket book online store, has alloted some online shelf spaces for VISPRINT titles.

They deliver anywhere in the Philippines (yey!) and across the globe! (with the exception of NIGERIA, IRAQ, AFGANISTAN and NORTH KOREA.)

Powerbooks' Book Fiesta!

Come one, come all!!!

All Visprint titles will be sold with a 10% discount in all participating Powerbooks branches :)

Book Fiesta Sale
Mechanics for book fiesta:

1. All books from these participating publishers are discounted accordingly:

PUBLISHER [DISCOUNT]
Anvil Publishing [10%]
Visprint [10%]
Milflores [10%]
OMF Literature [10%]
Lampara Books [10%]
Precious Pages [10%]
UST Pub. House [10%]
Adarna House [5%]
CSM Publishing [5%]
UP Press [5%]

2. Participating Powerbooks branches are Greenbelt, Megamall, Alabang Town Center, Glorietta, Shangri-la, Mall of Asia, Festival, Robinson's Ermita, Trinoma & Powerbooks Website

3. Promo period is from June 1 to 30, 2009.

[Mechanics and banner ad courtesy of Powerbooks website.]

Maraming salamat po sa mga nagpunta ng Komikon :)

Sa mga bumili, tumingin, pumila, naghintay, nag-picture-taking, nangulit, at nagpasarap ng isa na namang Komikon...

Maraming maraming salamat po!

Sa uulitin :)

Pagkatapos ng Heneral, sunod si Kapitan!

a short (?) message from BO.

Kapitan Sino - updated

THERE IS SOMETHING STRANGE IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD

Naunahan na naman ang mga pulis sa pagtugis sa mga holdaper ng isang jewelry shop. Bago noon, may iba na ring nakahuli sa isang carnaper; sumaklolo sa mga taong nasa itaas ng nasusunog na building; nagligtas sa sanggol na hinostage ng ama; tumulong para makatawid sa kalsada ang isang matanda; tumiklo sa mga miyembro ng Akyat-Bahay; sumagip sa mag-anak na tinangay ng tubig-baha; nag-landing nang maayos sa isang Boeing 747 na nasiraan ng engine; at nagpasabog sa isang higanteng robot. Pero sino ang taong ‘yon? Maililigtas nya ba sila Aling Baby? At ano nga ba talaga ang sabon ng mga artista?

KAPITAN SINO

Ang pinakabagong superhero noon.
Mas matibay pa sa orig.
Sa mas mahabang panahon.

KAPITAN SINO
ni Bob Ong
ISBN: 978-9710-54501-8
168 pages, paperback
Filipiniana, FICTION
Suggested Retail Price: P175.00

*NOW available in Pandayan Bookshop branches 05.13.09
Powerbooks: Trinoma, SM Megamall, Shangri-la, Glorietta & Greenbelt 05.15.09

**UPDATE as of 05.19.09
Now in selected National Bookstore branches
Best to call your branches to inquire of the book's availability.
Konting pasensiya lang po at mahina ang kalaban.
We're hoping to reach all branches nationwide before the month ends.

**Now available in: (as of 05.25.09)
Fully Booked branches
Merriam&Webster Kalookan branch
101 Boutique (UPLB)
Newsies Books & Magazines (Gaisano Mall, Butuan City)
Divisoria.com (for international orders)

Next week in:
Sunlife Bookstore (Lucena City)

For Komikon first timers, here's how to get to the UP Bahay Ng Alumni:

Thanks to the organizers for providing this Road Map :D

The Hottest Komiks Event This Summer!

KOMIKON SUMMER FIESTA 2009

UP Bahay ng Alumni, UP Diliman
May 16, 2009, 10am-8pm, Saturday
Entrance Fee: Php 50.00

The VISPRINT booth will be at the right side exit of the venue.

Meet and greet and have your books signed by Visprint creators:

• Carlo Vergara of "Ang Kagila-gilalas Na Pakikipagsapalaran Ni Zsazsa Zaturnnah"
• David Hontiveros of the Penumbra novellas: "Takod", "Parman" and "Craving"
• Manix Abrera of the "Kikomachine Komix" series
• Freely Abrigo of "Kulas"; and
• Budjette Tan & Kajo Baldisimo of the "Trese" series

A limited number of For Official Use Only and Kikomachine t-shirts will be available too!

See you all there :D

Coming VERY soon

Kikomachine Komix Blg. 5 out now!!! -- UPDATED

(cover spread with detachable band)

(front cover without the band)

Kikomachine Komix Blg. 5
"Alab Ng Puso Sa Dibdib Mo'y Buhay!"
Creator: Manix Abrera
ISBN: 971-05450-0-0
B&W comic strip compilation
SRP: P125.00

Bobong Pinoy for Dummies

Update on Bob Ong's Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: Totoo bang may E-book version ang mga libro ni BO?
A: Kung meron man, ilegal na mga kopya; walang kabayaran na natatanggap si BO at walang donasyon na napupunta sa mga organisasyon na umaasa sa tulong ng mga mambabasa. Hindi sinusuportahan ni BO ang E-books dahil aksaya lang sa natural resources ang pagkain nito ng kuryente. Sa pagtangkilik ng E-books, tinatalikuran mo ang pagkakataong makatulong sa mga kapuspalad, ninanakawan mo maging ang likas na yaman ng planeta, at pinagkakaitan mo ng pasasalamat ang isang poging Filipino author. Hindi ka cool, at bagay sayo ang pangalang Lucifer.

Q: Hindi ko naman yata nabasa sa mga libro ni BO yung mga quotations na umiikot ngayon sa text at email; kanya ba talaga yon?
A: Hindi. Minsan korni si BO, minsan jologs. Pero pag sabay na korni at jologs ang quote, di sa kanya yon. Simula ngayon ang magpasa ng maling text may hadhad. Game!

Read (and enjoy) the rest of it here :)

Bob Ong is...

busy with his new enterprise:

and his latest book:

"10 Big Myths about copyright explained"

by Brad Templeton

An attempt to answer common myths about copyright seen on the net and cover issues related to copyright and USENET/Internet publication.

1) If it doesn't have a copyright notice, it's not copyrighted.
2) If I don't charge for it, it's not a violation.
3) If it's posted to Usenet it's in the public domain.
4.) My posting was just fair use!
5) If you don't defend your copyright you lose it. -- Somebody has that name copyrighted!
6) If I make up my own stories, but base them on another work, my new work belongs to me.
7) They can't get me, defendants in court have powerful rights!
8) Oh, so copyright violation isn't a crime or anything?
9) It doesn't hurt anybody -- in fact it's free advertising.
10) They e-mailed me a copy, so I can post it.
11) So I can't ever reproduce anything?

Note that this is an essay about copyright myths. It assumes you know at least what copyright is -- basically the legal exclusive right of the author of a creative work to control the copying of that work.